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Topic Review (Newest First)

12-27-2013, 03:12 PM

Unregistered

So why do you have to be such a D1ck to this guy?

Originally Posted by DowJones

what the hell are you waiting for? take your x5 to a dealer and get it fixed. if you wait, the problem might get worse. you should've bought an extended warranty. my x5 has over 70kmiles. i have an extended warranty from warranty direct til 100kmiles. i had it serviced 2 months ago and they replaced the drive belt and said everything is ok.

You aswhole (yes I spelled it like that on purpose)

08-05-2012, 09:42 PM

way2cook

Engine failsafe

First, I'm sorry that some people are so self righteous. I know in our family members situation, it is a used one, that had a short term warranty. So, everything is on her. I appreciate you taking the time to share this problem, so that some of us are now informed that there is this ongoing problem. I appreciate, BMW's caring attitude in response to you!!

Originally Posted by rodybmw

...sputtered and stalled twice yesterday and the "Engine Failsafe Prog" was displayed on the MID and some of the other warning lights came on also. Both times were right after she tried to accelerate after stopping for a red light at intersections. The first time the car sputtered and limped very slowly accross the intersection. Then she pulled over, shut off and restarted the car and everything was fine. The second time (about a couple of hours later) the car stalled in the middle of a busy intersection. Again she started the car and it was fine.

The car has about 88,000 miles on it and is not covered by warrenty anymore. This happened once a couple of years ago when the car was under warrenty but there was no fault code stored.

I know that the "Engine Failsafe Prog." is pretty common on posts in this board and I did a search for it. Unfortunately it seems like for most people the dealers were either not able to find out what caused the problem, or there were different problems with each car (not one problem that I could look for, but almost like anything can cause this to happen).

So, does anyone have any other info on what can cause this or what to look for?

I have noticed that with most posts on this issue the BMW NA rep posts an "offer of assistance". Even though the car is not under warrenty anymore I wonder if there would be any such offers from BMW NA. After all this is a very serious issue and can be VERY DANGEROUS. With a two year old kid and another on the way I don't want this to happen again when they are all in the car.

By the way, the car is a 2001 X5 3.0 Step. (5/00 production)

Thanks in Advance,
rodybmw

03-11-2012, 10:02 PM

xalaskan

Hey all,

I have an 03 e53 4.6is with a Dinan S3 package. For the past 16 months I have had random issues with the X going into "engine failsafe mode" the codes say "throttle body issues" we have replaced it 3 times. We also replaced the gas pedal assembly as a premptive measure. The issue continues, turning my Bavarian Beast into unreliable nightmare! I love this car like my first born child... My indy shop (Valley Motorwerks) and the Dinan mothership in Morgan Hill have run out of ideas. I need some help, any thoughts, ideas and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

TB

02-27-2012, 03:10 PM

Unregistered

Re: My car is dying

Originally Posted by kenla

i've the similar problems now on 2000 4.4i. the first time, it was the dsc module aka abs control. it took me a while to find what it was as there were too many wanna be mechanics and all the did was guess. one of them even told me it was the valve setting and they have to open the engine. to cut a long story short, one shop was able to diagnose it, i bought it myself and they replaced it and the problem dissapeared. it's now back on but it is very clear it is my alternatoras the car just cuts off atfer a short drive and won't start unless jumped and then stalls again after a sort time

I've been having a lot of problems with my X5 doing the same thing. The "TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG" displays with the 4x4 and ABS lights. I've taken this car to 3 different mechanics and the dealership. The dealer said it was a $15K valve job, another mechanic said it was just piston failure, another said he couldn't do it, and the last said it was a bad alternator. What is going on here?!? I'm tired of this. I have a 2005 4.4i X5 with 110K miles.

01-19-2012, 04:33 AM

beyonce35

Originally Posted by sconstantine

Had the same thing happen on my 2002 3.0. Ended up being a bad electrical connection to the MAF. Dealer replaced entire engine wiring harness, explaining that they could not splice a new connector into the harness. No problems since they replaced it.

About the engine wiring harness does that has something to do with the car computer?

01-14-2012, 08:42 PM

Unregistered

The X5 is a piece of ****

03-09-2011, 11:34 AM

tmw

Re: Could be something very simple

Well put. I grew tired of issues with my '01 X5 and bought an '08 model last week. I never assumed BMWNA would or should take care of issues that are normal for a 10 year old vehicle with 160k miles. When my '08 through the natural process of aging becomes a pain in the butt I'll kick it to the curb and get a newer version. It's the cycle of life people!!!

02-28-2011, 03:06 AM

kenla

Re: Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife's X5 3.0i....

i've the similar problems now on 2000 4.4i. the first time, it was the dsc module aka abs control. it took me a while to find what it was as there were too many wanna be mechanics and all the did was guess. one of them even told me it was the valve setting and they have to open the engine. to cut a long story short, one shop was able to diagnose it, i bought it myself and they replaced it and the problem dissapeared. it's now back on but it is very clear it is my alternatoras the car just cuts off atfer a short drive and won't start unless jumped and then stalls again after a sort time

08-12-2009, 07:09 PM

robertplattbell

Dear BMW NA Customer Relations...

I have several severe "Safety" issues with my BMWs, which are all nearly a decade old and long out of warranty, but I want you to fix them all for free. lest the little childrens get hurted.

1. I have a 1997 BMW cabriolet with a bad rear CV joint that makes a thunking noise when I turn. This could be serious, as if I let it go for say, 50,000 miles, the CV joint could let loose and impale the gas tank, killing everyone aboard in a firey inferno. Please let me know when I can bring the car in for a new free rear axle assembly.

2. The seat belt bezel is cracked, which could cause the seatbelt to jam in the event of an emergency, causing serious death or injury. Please fix this right away, free of charge, no less. Small children's lives are at stake!

3. The door panel has delaminated. Yea, I know, all BMWs do that eventually. But a small child COULD get their finger caught in there with some serious, undefined consequences! Please send me new door panels right away (in tan, please). They are only $2000 apiece, I am sure you won't mind.

4. The belt tensioner has gone south again, causing the serpentine belt to squeal. This noise is annoyng and could cause the driver to be distracted and CAUSE AN ACCIDENT! Please fix this right away, free, even through the car has been out of warranty since Bill Clinton was President.

There are a number of other SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS that I should point out as well. Perhaps it would just be best if you sent me a new 2010 335iC to replace this car. In Boston green if you've got it. Heated seats this time, OK??

Geez. Just because a car is a decade old is no reason I should not get FREE REPAIRS FOR LIFE, right?

Thanks!

08-12-2009, 06:57 PM

robertplattbell

Could be something very simple

It could be something very simple, such as a leak in the intake elbow, which is a $15 part and takes a few minutes to fix.

If you want to own a BMW out of warranty, you need to be handy with tools or know a good independent mechanic.

I am a little appalled that you are trying to wrangle a free repair from BMW NA by arguing this is a "safety" issue.

I have a 2002 X5 and mine did the same thing today. My car also, is not under warantee. I'm bringing it into the dealer in two days to take a look at it.

I asked if it was dangerous to keep driving it and they said to just stop and restart, "it should be fine"...!

05-12-2004, 09:41 AM

Neworder

Re: Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife\'s X5 3.0i....

if you were worried about your 2yr old in your old x5, you would've bought the extended warranty. doh.

05-11-2004, 10:27 PM

Bob

Re: Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife\'s X5 3.0i....

This just happened to my 2002 x5 3.0 this evening. Only has 31,000 miles on it. Same thing....failsafe indicator came on. The vehicle was still drivable but at lower speeds. Pulled over . SHut the engine off. Waited a minute...started it back up and all was fine. It drove normal. A few minutes later, the indicator came back on again. Slowed to a stop. Tried to accelerate and the engine just sputtered. NO POWER AT ALL. Thank god I was only 500 yards from my house. I sputtered home to my driveway where I called roadside assistance. Hopefully it's nothing serious and they can tow it/fix it tomorrow.

Frustrated,
Bob

03-30-2004, 10:56 AM

Ginger

Re: Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife's X5 3.0i....

Iím with BMW of North America, LLC. Iím sorry to read about this problem with your X5. If you want our assistance, please phone us at (800) 831-1117, and mention Reference # 200409000097 so that we can help you more efficiently.

03-17-2004, 09:09 AM

sconstantine

Re: Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife's X5 3.0i....

Had the same thing happen on my 2002 3.0. Ended up being a bad electrical connection to the MAF. Dealer replaced entire engine wiring harness, explaining that they could not splice a new connector into the harness. No problems since they replaced it.

03-16-2004, 03:40 PM

DowJones

Re: Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife\'s X5 3.0i....

what the hell are you waiting for? take your x5 to a dealer and get it fixed. if you wait, the problem might get worse. you should've bought an extended warranty. my x5 has over 70kmiles. i have an extended warranty from warranty direct til 100kmiles. i had it serviced 2 months ago and they replaced the drive belt and said everything is ok.

03-16-2004, 02:55 PM

rodybmw

Engine Failsafe Prog.....my wife\'s X5 3.0i....

...sputtered and stalled twice yesterday and the "Engine Failsafe Prog" was displayed on the MID and some of the other warning lights came on also. Both times were right after she tried to accelerate after stopping for a red light at intersections. The first time the car sputtered and limped very slowly accross the intersection. Then she pulled over, shut off and restarted the car and everything was fine. The second time (about a couple of hours later) the car stalled in the middle of a busy intersection. Again she started the car and it was fine.

The car has about 88,000 miles on it and is not covered by warrenty anymore. This happened once a couple of years ago when the car was under warrenty but there was no fault code stored.

I know that the "Engine Failsafe Prog." is pretty common on posts in this board and I did a search for it. Unfortunately it seems like for most people the dealers were either not able to find out what caused the problem, or there were different problems with each car (not one problem that I could look for, but almost like anything can cause this to happen).

So, does anyone have any other info on what can cause this or what to look for?

I have noticed that with most posts on this issue the BMW NA rep posts an "offer of assistance". Even though the car is not under warrenty anymore I wonder if there would be any such offers from BMW NA. After all this is a very serious issue and can be VERY DANGEROUS. With a two year old kid and another on the way I don't want this to happen again when they are all in the car.